Sheffield Wednesday must plot move for ex-QPR star - it will ease pressure on Barry Bannan | OneFootball

Sheffield Wednesday could make some extra additions in the January transfer window

Sheffield Wednesday are in store for a hectic end to what has been a dismal year for the club.

The Owls have suffered much torment in 2025, with Dejphon Chansiri’s financial mismanagement leading to players failing to receive payment on time for five of the last seven months.

Key players such as Josh Windass and Michael Smith left on a free transfer as a result, strengthening fellow Championship sides Wrexham and Preston North End in the process.

Wednesday were placed under five embargoes due to their owner’s incompetence, which limited their transfer business to loan deals for Ethan Horvath and Harry Amass.

This made the Owls’ task of staying in the Championship tough enough, with that feat almost unachievable due to the automatic 12-point deduction handed to Wednesday after going into administration.

Although survival doesn’t currently look to be a realistic opportunity, Wednesday can make steps to ensure that they are a more competitive force in the second half of the season and prepare accordingly for a promotion push in League One.

Barry Bannan recently revealed via talkSPORT that the Owls may be able to make free transfers and loans in the January transfer window, which would allow Henrik Pedersen to make some much-needed additions to his squad.

Sheffield Wednesday should utilise free transfer market to snap up ex-QPR man in January

Due to Wednesday’s lack of business in the transfer market, their squad has been thin during the first half of the Championship season which has seen a reliance on youth products and experienced operators, leading to tired performances on the pitch at times.

Although his quality is still evident at the age of 35, Bannan’s fitness is no longer at the level it once was, and in normal circumstances, he would be having his minutes managed effectively.

However, due to the Owls’ unique situation, the Scotsman has been heavily relied upon and has started all 12 of their Championship matches at this moment in time. This amount of load on Bannan’s body isn’t sustainable and therefore reinforcements should already be prepared for January.

With the revelation that Wednesday should be able to make free and loan transfers during the winter window, there is one man in particular that Pedersen should be eyeing up.

The Steel City side currently lack an attacking midfield profile and that could be solved by exploring a deal for Lucas Andersen.

Andersen has been out of work since his contract with QPR expired in the summer, after spending one and a half seasons at Loftus Road.

The Dane scored three goals and provided four assists in 49 Championship appearances, but failed to establish himself in West London and is now on the hunt for a new opportunity.

Whilst not setting the world alight, Andersen proved to be a capable player at the second-tier level and would be a solid addition to Pedersen’s squad at this moment in time.

The Owls lack a severe amount of proven Championship quality and the 31-year-old’s presence would also relieve Bannan of such an intense workload during the second half of the campaign.

If Andersen impressed, Wednesday could also look to sign him down to a longer-term contract, which would boost their chances of a promotion from League One next term even further.

Sheffield Wednesday must use the remainder of this season to prepare for the future

Relegation is pretty much a given for Wednesday at this moment in time due to the 12-point deduction they received, but that doesn’t mean that the rest of this season is meaningless for the Owls.

The Steel City side have been in a worrying state this year and that will have taken its toll on all those involved within the club.

If a new owner comes in soon with secure finances and the determination to take Wednesday back up the Football League, the January transfer window could be the first opportunity for new players to be brought to Hillsborough with a view to future success.

This would therefore put the Owls in the best possible place to attack League One next term and make sure their absence from the second-tier is a short one.